Please Don’t Stop the Music

Sometimes, the big huge game-changing miracle comes in a tiny little gift of love. Our Editor Dan shares his story.

It’s amazing all the little ways God shows how He loves us and how He is there with us.  A few weeks ago, the WitnessLA team had its first ever “Dinner Social” for all the different Editors, Voices, team members, volunteers and contributors to meet each other in person for the first time.  Rachel and I had decided to host the event at our house in Silver Lake, but really didn’t know what to expect and how it would turn out.  We had been praying for God to show up in a big and dramatic way, but the biggest way He ended up showing up was in the smallest of little details.

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Food For Thought (Dan): Bible in a Year

So after almost two years, I’ve finally finished my Bible-in-a-year reading plan.  I guess that technically makes it a Bible-in-two-years plan, but I digress.  In any case, I can now say I’ve actually read The Word from cover to cover (even the Book of Numbers, which I’ve earmarked for future bouts with insomnia).

As I’ve reached the end of this journey, I took a moment to reflect.  I can’t say that I now know every verse by heart, or even the most famous ones - I’ll still hear verses quoted in church and have no idea where they come from or the slightest idea what they mean.  I can’t say that I don’t swear anymore (I try not to!), that I sold all my belongings and gave the money to the poor, that I have love and patience for everyone all the time (see e.g., LA drivers), or that when I open my mouth only pink daisies and odes of angels come out.

And yet, in those two years, a lot has happened that I just can’t explain or claim credit for.  In those two years, I’ve: paid off all my debt, gotten my dream job when I least expected it, kicked depression to the curb for good, forgiven the unforgivable, bared my soul and my life story in front of thousands of strangers who still recognize me on the street by name, somehow saved someone’s life from jumping off a bridge, started three blogs with people I met by chance and who are now like family, traveled to the ends of the Earth with Asian celebrities and pop stars for Christ, followed a Godly conviction on my heart to go to Asia on a whim and unknowingly met the girl of my dreams there who I am marrying in three weeks.  Coincidence?  I doubt it.

Two bible verses (that I can remember) I think summarize what this whirlwind journey has been like:

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
   out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
   and gave me a firm place to stand.” - Psalm 40:2 (NIV)

“Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” - Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)

My challenge to all of you, friends, is this.  What can God do with you and through your life in just three chapters a day?  If you are ready for your own God adventure to begin, just turn that first page.  And don’t say I didn’t warn you!